Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces he will resign, under pressure from his own camp

A minority in Parliament, weakened by the withdrawal of his left-wing ally and the growing discontent within his own party, Justin Trudeau is retiring after almost ten years at the head of the government of Canada.

A ten-year page turns. The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that he would soon resign from his post as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party, Monday January 6, in the face of the most serious political crisis that the country has experienced since his arrival in power, in 2015.

Justin Trudeau explains that he “the intention to resign from [son] position as leader of the Canadian Liberal Party and as Prime Minister once the party has chosen its next leader (…) following a rigorous and competitive process”. “Parliament will be prorogued until March 24”he clarified.

Until now, Justin Trudeau had announced his intention to run again in the legislative elections, which must be held by the end of October. But the Prime Minister, trailing his conservative rival by more than 20 points in the polls Pierre Poilievrehas seen its popularity drop in recent months. Dropped by his left-wing ally in September, Justin Trudeau no longer had a majority in Parliament. His government narrowly survived a series of votes of no confidence and his critics have repeatedly called for his resignation.

Justin Trudeau was under pressure within his own party, the Liberal Party. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from the government in December, amid disagreements with him over how to manage the looming economic war with the United States. US President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico upon his return to power in January.

In the process, several Liberal MPs pleaded for the departure of the Canadian leader. He is also considered responsible for the inflation which is hitting the country – around 2% for several months – as well as for the housing and public services crisis.